Geographical Facts About Early Dorchester (Windsor), Connecticut

Windsor, Connecticut's first community, was launched in 1633 when
settlers sailed from Plymouth Colony in Massachusetts to establish
themselves at
the confluence of the Farmington and Connecticut rivers. The Indians
called this place Matianuck. (1)

The Reverend John Warham and 60 members of his congregation, a
church organized in England in 1630, including William Phelps,
arrived two years later. They renamed the settlement Dorchester.
A final name
change to Windsor was decreed in 1637 by the colony's General Court.
From Stiles history and others, it was written, "At
a Court held May 1st, 1637, 'It is ordered that yt the plantacon
called
Dorchester shall bee called Windsor.' "

Families
of Ancient Windsor, Connecticut Consisting of Volume
II of the History and Genealogies of Ancient Windsor, Connecticut;
Including
East Windsor, South Windsor, Bloomfield, Windsor Locks, and Ellington,
1635-1891. By Henry R. Stiles.

William Phelps arrived on the ship Mary and John in 1630.
George Phelps, since proven not to be William's brother, apparently arrived
on board the Recovery in
1635. A great deal of research has been done on early Windsor, Connecticut.

Map of Ancient Windsor, Connecticut. The highlighted
areas indicate the homes of William and George Phelps. Click for larger image.
[50kb]

In 1638, it being admitted that this Connecticut colony was out of the
jurisdiction of the Massachusetts colony, the people of Windsor, Wethersfield,
and Hartford, met in Hartford, Jan 2nd, 1639, and adopted a constitution
for the Connecticut colony, what became the first
local government in America. This document recognized
no authority save
God, superior to that delegated by the people. This was an affront to
the King.

This document was drawn up by Mr. Roger Ludlow presiding magistrate,
with the assistance of the magistrates, of whom Mr. William Phelps was
one...

Mr. William Phelps held the office of magistrate from 1639-1643,
and 1656-1662; from 1645-1649 inclusive. He was a deputy also in 1651.

At a court held 1642, the first of government on record relating to Simsbury,
whose Indian name was "Massaco," was an order passed by the
Court of which Mr. William Phelps was a member, and in these words:

"It is ordered that the governor, and Mr Haynes shall have liberty
to dispose of that part of land on the river called Massacoe, to such
inhabitants of Windsor, as they shall see cause."(1)